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Routt County adopts Youth Activities and CGIA policies to manage risk and reporting for county-hosted youth programs
Summary
The board adopted a Youth Activities Policy and a companion CGIA policy to set minimum supervision, background-screening, and mandatory reporting requirements for county-run youth programs and for use of county property for youth activities; staff will update the facilities use agreement to reflect changes.
Routt County commissioners voted unanimously on May 27 to adopt two new county policies: the Youth Activities Policy and a companion CGIA (Child-Guardian-Information-Action) policy. County staff framed the policies as a risk-management response to a change in Colorado law that created a statutory civil cause of action for abuse occurring during youth-related activities.
The presenter explained that the statutory change creates potential claims not only against perpetrators but also against responsible organizations and that the statute expressly allows suits against public entities. To address exposure, the new Youth Activities Policy separates county programs that the county operates (such as programs in Extension and Human Services) from non-county users who request use of county property.
Key elements include minimum supervision standards (at least one screened adult present), specified background-screening parameters, and mandatory reporting obligations for staff. The companion CGIA policy establishes notification requirements: county employees must notify supervisors when they become aware of an event and notify the County Attorney’s Office promptly if they receive notice of litigation. Staff said they consulted Human Services and Extension on practical application and will revise the county facilities-use agreement accordingly.
Commissioners asked how the policies would apply at large events such as the Routt County Fair where thousands of people and many volunteers gather. Staff said the policy requires at least one screened adult for covered activities and acknowledged gray areas (such as volunteers who help only for a weekend versus year-round screened volunteers). Commissioners accepted staff’s recommendation to adopt the policies and asked to receive updates on implementation and any refinements based on operational experience.
The board adopted Resolution Nos. 2025-052 (Youth Activities Policy) and 2025-053 (CGIA policy). Staff said a modification to the facilities-use agreement will follow and staff will return with lessons learned and recommended changes as they occur.
